Hand Up Gala 2011

Fund Raiser to Kick Off Winter Activities

The Bishop Cosgrove Center and the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless introduce the second annual Hand Up Gala 2011 on October 21, 2011. NEOCH is partnering with Catholic Charities to host the Hand Up Gala 2011 in order to improve the lives of men and women in Cleveland with additional help getting people to jobs and winter supplies such as blankets and winter clothing. We will kick off these activities with a gourmet meal prepared by a Celebrity Chef in an event we call the Hand Up Gala. We hope to build on the successful 2010 event, and raise support for the two social service organizations in Cleveland. The Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless is using this Gala to kick off our winter 2011-12 events and Cosgrove is using the proceeds to assist homeless people with their transportation needs.

The Hand Up Gala this year will again be prepared by a local celebrity Executive Sous Chef John Aldewereld of the Sans Souci Restaurant, and none of the proceeds go to preparing the dinner. Last year, we served 185 people who were able to enjoy music and a wonderful meal prepared by San Souci Chef John Aldewereld and Michael Lyon. This year we are holding the Gala on October 21, 2011 and we need your support for this event. Please donate to the Coalition to support the Hand Up Gala, and all the proceeds go to NEOCH's winter activities or the Bishop Cosgrove helping with the transportation of homeless people.

Our two nonprofit charities serve hundreds of people every month struggling with their housing, and want to combine our expertise to provide a great meal for homeless people. We are working every day to reduce homelessness and improve the lives of those experiencing homelessness in Cleveland. NEOCH devotes time and resources to advocacy, public education and programs designed to assist homeless men and women break the cycle of poverty and work their way out of homelessness. A few of NEOCH’s initiatives include free legal assistance, an affordable housing website, and publications of research and reference guides. Catholic Charities supports a comprehensive continuum of care to fragile populations throughout Northeast Ohio. The Bishop Cosgrove Center offers a breakfast and lunch to hundreds of hungry people everyday and provides supportive services to those who have struggling to find a hand out of poverty. Bishop Cosgrove serves more than 50,000 meals to the hungry every year.

This event is in lieu of the typical non-profit dinner and auction. It will mark the beginning of our winter blanket collection and the Cosgrove are using the proceeds to purchase bus tickets and provide transporation to homeless people to get them to jobs, housing or medical appointments . Last year, NEOCH collected and distributed over 3,000 winter blankets to homeless people. In this spirit, the Bishop Cosgrove Center and NEOCH are planning the Celebrity Chef Luncheon on October 21, 2011, as an opportunity for the homeless community to come together to enjoy some great food prepared by one of Cleveland’s famous chefs. We are seeking your support to make this event a success. Everyone who donates at least $45 to the event will have their name entered in an auction. At this point, the Doubletree Hotel on Lakeside, Cleveland Public Theatre, the Nautica Queen, among others have provided auction items. For a complete list of auction items go here.

We hope that you will support this unique event in the community.

Brian
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